How to choose the card that’s best for you
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As a busy mom who loves to travel, or perhaps just wants to travel more with your family, you know that every little bit helps when it comes to stretching your budget. That’s why finding the right credit card is so important—because the right one can help you earn more points and miles, getting you and your family closer to your next adventure without breaking the bank. But with so many options out there, how do you know which card is the best for you? Let’s break it down!
Transferrable Points
Transferable points are a cornerstone of my strategy because they offer flexibility in how you redeem them. Cards that earn transferable points, like Chase Ultimate Rewards® or American Express Membership Rewards®, Citi - ThankYou® Points, and Capital One - Miles allow you to transfer points to various airline and hotel partners, giving you the ability to get more value out of your points. This flexibility can be particularly valuable when booking flights or hotels, as you can choose the partner that offers the best deal at the time.
1. Start with Your Travel Goals
Now that you understand the value of transferrable points, your first step in choosing the right card is: what you want to achieve with your points and miles. Are you planning a big family vacation, or do you prefer to save for luxurious couples' getaways? Where do you want to go? What are you doing first?
Family Vacations: If you’re aiming to take the whole family on a trip, like to Disney or Hawaii, look for cards with sign-up bonuses that can be transferred to multiple airline or hotel partners. If you’ve decided where you are going, make sure the card you choose allows their points to be transferred to your property or airline of your choice. This flexibility can be a game-changer when booking flights and hotels. Here’s a list of some of my favorite cards
Couples’ Getaways: For those romantic anniversary trips, I love the credit cards that offer high-value hotel free night certificates. My top pick is the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card because once you earn the free night certificate, it can be used at luxurious properties like the Conrad Bora Bora. A property like this one would never be possible for us without points and miles. You can also leverage your transferable points to cover the cost of these stays. When planning, decide whether you want to focus on a specific hotel chain and its free night certificates or if you prefer to pick a dream property and then choose a credit card that allows you to transfer points directly to that hotel’s loyalty program. This flexibility ensures you can tailor your rewards to fit your dream trip. Here’s a list of my favorite hotel cards
2. Match the Card to Your Spending Habits
Next, consider where you spend the most money. Your everyday spending can help you rack up points and miles faster if you choose the right card.
Groceries and Dining: If you’re like most moms, a significant portion of your budget goes toward groceries and dining out. Cards that offer bonus points in these categories can help you earn more for every dollar spent. I love the American Express® Gold Card for this because of the bonus categories in groceries and dining. Do keep in mind- superstore (Target and Walmart) or a warehouse (Costco, Sams club) do not count as ‘supermarkets.’ The bonus only applies to Traditional grocery stores, like Safeway, Kroger, and Whole Foods.
Travel Expenses: If you’re already spending on flights, hotels, or car rentals, a travel rewards card that offers bonus points for these purchases can help you accumulate points even faster. For example, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card offers bonus points on travel and dining, making it perfect for family trips and date nights alike.
3. Consider the Long-Term Value
While sign-up bonuses are great, it’s important to think about the long-term value of a card. Here’s what I look for:
Ongoing Rewards: After the sign-up bonus, how does the card reward your spending? Cards like the World of Hyatt Credit Card offer ongoing benefits, like elite night credits, which help you achieve or maintain status with Hyatt. This can unlock even more perks, such as room upgrades and late checkouts, especially if you’re aiming for Globalist status—a level of status that’s not automatically given by any card, making it more exclusive and potentially more rewarding.
Annual Fees vs. Benefits: Don’t be afraid of a card with an annual fee if the benefits outweigh the cost. For example, the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card might have a higher fee, but with a free night certificate worth up to 85,000 points and automatic Platinum Elite status, it can more than pay for itself, especially if you travel frequently.
The sign up bonus is always worth it, but I always evaluate these benefits at the year mark when deciding which cards to keep or cancel.
Final Thoughts
Choosing the best credit card for earning points and miles is all about aligning the card’s benefits with your travel goals and spending habits. Whether you’re saving for a big family vacation or planning a luxurious couples’ retreat, there’s a card out there that can help you get there faster and for less money. Focus on cards that offer strong sign-up bonuses, valuable ongoing rewards, and perks like free night certificates, and you’ll be well on your way to maximizing your travel experiences.
Editorial Disclosure: Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed, or approved by any of these entities.
Advertiser Disclosure: The Rewards Mom has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. The Rewards Mom and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers.
